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Cavaliers are know as "companion spaniels or comfort spaniels", they don't like being left alone and need human company. As suggested earlier, I would put some kind of crate in the bedroom then gradually move it out. My dogs sleep in their beds in our bedroom, it does get a bit busy if they all decide they want a cuddle at the same time.

Sinead'..Glad to hear that Lady is doing better at night for you.
Can I give you some advice on when you take her to your sisters?..and how she re-acts to her dog?
If Lady snaps at your sister's dog again..this is what I would do. ( much as it may sound mean..it will not hurt her).
Immediately put her in a submissive position by laying her on her back in front of your sister's dog. Keep her there till she is calm. Let you sisters dog come near..smell her, etc. Lady is only doing this because she is so unsure of herself. ..but she still needs "your" leadership. Continue to do this every time she behaves badly.
Another tool to get dogs that act out aggressively ( whether it be from "fear" or some other factor)...is to take them BOTH on a walk together. Do this on a regular basis. Since dogs are pack animals...they will soon realize neither are a threat. Lady just sounds like she unfortunately has had a lack of socialization. Being she is a rescue... I doubt if the previous owner cared much. You can change it for her..and have a well-balanced dog. Try to keep her as socialized as you can. It just may take a little work.
Best of luck to you ~ hugs~

While I respect that many have different training views, I cannot stress enough that I consider alpha rolls and any kind of forced, submissive positions to be absolutely abhorrent–there is plenty of evidence that they are damaging to dogs and can actually create a dangerous, fear aggressive dog. All a dog is learning by being forced into such a position in front of another dog is to be even more fear aggressive. This type of training method os advocated, unfortunately, by some of the TV trainers because they make for good TV and seem to bring quick results. And they leave a train of dogs in their wake that then end up having further problems. But this is based on totally misrepresented studies on wolves. Contemporary canine and wolf researchers have stressed again and again, that this was isolated behavior in semi domesticated wolves forced into artificially close proximity and in no way represents normal behavior. Indeed, doing rolls like this tends to be extremely aggressive behavior that creates more aggression. Dogs and wolves in the wild very rarely sink to aggression either within their packs or even between packs. I have a lot of links already posted in the training section that really debunks the mistaken theory behind this kind of approach to training and I hope that anyone who is considering using this will read more widely to understand why such an approach should be avoided.

It is not that unusual for one dog to snap at another (my Lily is a snapper, generally meaningless) –it is not necessarily a sign of aggression, and often is actually a useful and polite way in which some dogs tell another dog, often a rude dog or a more pushy dog than they care to deal with–to back off. It is not generally instigating a fight, and is rarely a dangerous precursor to anything worse. I have had plenty of dogs go through a period like this, especially if they are rescues from unknown backgrounds and may be very uneasy. All introductions, dog to dog, it should be done carefully, and if a rescue dog is uncomfortable, then I would suggest working with a CPDT qualified trainer (you can find them in your area on their website) to help work out whatever her issues are.

Without knowing the situation in which she snapped at your sister's dog, it is hard to know whether her dog is just being too pushy for your new dog, or she is uneasy around other dogs, etcm or this is just short term. Most of the time as I said, this is trivial and I'd just leave them be -- if you are having real issues then maybe talk to a good trainer for example at Dog Training Ireland for some professional advice. But really, her life has gone topsy turvy, she is being flooded with new experiences that she may find overwhelming, and she needs time to get used to all this. Snapping is defining space for an anxious or nervous dog, most of the time, and your sister's cavalier if well socialised will just give her space and they probably will be fine within the next few meetings.

Cavaliers in particular are extremely gentle and sensitive dogs, and any kind of punishment based training can absolutely break and destroy them.

I completely agree with the approach of walking dogs together to let them socialise in a neutral environment. This is what I always recommend to people whp took my rescues.

The highest frequency of aggression occurred in response to aversive (or punishing) interventions, even when the intervention was indirect:
• Hitting or kicking the dog (41% of owners reported aggression)
• Growling at the dog (41%)
• Forcing the dog to release an item from its mouth (38%)
• "Alpha roll" (forcing the dog onto its back and holding it down) (31%)
• "Dominance down" (forcing the dog onto its side) (29%)
• Grabbing the jowls or scruff (26%)
• Staring the dog down (staring at the dog until it looks away) (30%)
• Spraying the dog with water pistol or spray bottle (20%)
• Yelling "no" (15%)
• Forced exposure (forcibly exposing the dog to a stimulus – such as tile floors, noise or people – that frightens the dog) (12%)
In contrast, non-aversive methods resulted in much lower frequency of aggressive responses:
• Training the dog to sit for everything it wants (only 2% of owners reported aggression)
• Rewarding the dog for eye contact (2%)
• Food exchange for an item in its mouth instead of forcing the item out (6%)
• Rewarding the dog for "watch me" (0%)

I totally respect your view on training...and what you shared has some very valid points.
I am no expert...so I apologize if I have offended you..or anyone else with my opinions.
My views have come from training our dogs thru the years..and working w/ skilled obedience trainers.
I think what you said was great. If an owner feels they need help w/ their dog..then seek a skilled trainer whose methods you "agree with".

Putting a dog in a submissive posture doesn't have to mean you have them in a death grip. All it is is holding them on their side still they acheive a calm state of mind. I am sorry we disagree in that. Also... a dog "will" lay on their back in a submissive position when another dog approaches ( at times) if you watch them.

There has to be some sort of method used to show them it is NOT permissive behavior to snap..growl..or bite.
I would NEVER be "mean" or "abusive" to an animal. It is not part of my nature. So breaking a dog "spirit" is entirely contrary to what I would ever want to achieve...but I do however believe we ARE to be the leader.
In a pack..there is always a leader.

Like I shared when I came to the forum...we raised LARGE dogs most of our lives. We also had a few rottweillers.
( not that I would ever own one again..but I came to love them)
We DID put them in a submissive posture ..and it did not break their spirit. This was "only" done a few times when they acted aggressively towards another dog. And after this training.. these dogs were dogs you could have around anyone and they could be trusted. Putting a dog in a submissive posture ( on thie side or back) is in no way hurtful.
We do not believe in hitting a dog..grabbing a dog in an angry manner ( EVER!!)...that IS abuse. This method is not harse punishment IMO. We had to have control of a 140 lb dog. (A little snap at another dog doesn't go over well when it's a large breed.)
An intelligent owner can determine whether it is... like you said..their way of telling another dog to back off..or if it is actual aggression to where they want to "hurt" another dog.

Now I know that Rottweillers and Cavaliers are totally OPPOSITE in nature.
Cavaliers are a gentle breed...so I understand what you are saying.

BUT ( and this where we may disagree)...NO dog..whether small..medium or large should be allowed to snap at another dog...ever ! That's just my opinion.
Allowing such behavior gives them an "okay" to possibly act that way to a child. ( whether it is fear related or not)
And you sure do not want your dog to bite anyone.

Bottom line...> I am sorry if my post offended anyone. I truly am !

Last edited by DZee; 11th June 2012 at 11:17 PM.
Reason: repeating myself...ooops

My old rescue cannot be without me as well. We had to crate him because he would bark all night long trying to get into bed with us. Not that I didn't want him in bed but he tends to smother me when I am lying down. I don't know your situation but your dog will be happier in your room with you. You can try a doggie bed, or a crate. I imagine, if she is like my rescue, she will calm down once she knows you are near. We have our rescue dog's crate in the bedroom with us.

Dzee-I have owned rottweilers too, they are a great breed. I have a male rottweiler now and since finding the cavalier he may be my last but I will forever love the breed.

Thanks for the advice. Lady is doing really well. She is playimg much better with her " cousin" and is generally more settled. She still gets herself worked up so plenty of postive reinforcement for good behaviour is working well and whilst she still has her naughty moments she is great fun and fantastic company. I cant get my computer to upload photos of her but as soon as I get it sorted I will post some photos